Summary of Capabilities

The following lists provide a summary of the major features of EFDC_Explorer. The lists are grouped into three primary categories based on the general use of each feature. The first group contains general purpose features while the other two groups summarize the major pre- and post-processing features.
It is recognized that many more options and features could be added to EFDC_Explorer. It is anticipated that many new features will be added as resources are available.

General

• Graphical interface to most of the commonly used EFDC features.
• Graphical interface for EFDC (Sigma, GVC and SGZ versions) sub-models:
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Density dependent flow state variables: Salinity/Temperature
  • Tracer
  • Sediment Transport
  • Toxics
  • Water Quality with Sediment Diagenesis
  • Lagrangian Particle Tracking and Oil Spill
  • Rooted Plant and Epiphyte Model
  • Linkage of External Wave Model Results to EFDC
  • Wind Generated Waves
  • Ice formation and melt
• Extensive visualization and point and click inquiries of input and output data.
• Extensive use of popup tips to help the user select the proper inputs.
• Included EE User Manual Help file coupled to forms (F1).
• Extensive error and range checking for user inputs.
• Many functions work with Calendar date and/or Julian dates.
• Binary file access method to allow the access to files > 4.2 GB.
• Any number of snapshots that can be written by EFDC and managed/used by EFDC_Explorer.
• Output Plots and Tables in either Metric or English units.
• Ability to read, write and display ESRI^® .SHP files.
• Ability to read, write and display Mapinfo^® .tab files.
• Included EE User Manual Help file coupled to forms (F1).
• Ability to write KML files for grid and model 2D fields.
• Ability to user multiple processors (OMP) to significantly reduce run times.
• Double click to run a project (*.EE extension).
• SWAN control and linkage to EE system
• No need for template files for model setup
• Continuing support and development of the utility.

Pre-Processor-General

• Pre-Processor for the efdc+ & EFDC_GVC 2D-3D Versions.
• Import many previous versions of the main control file (i.e. EFDC.INP).
• Courant # and Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy calculator and display tools.
• Run logging.
• Status error window

Pre-Processor-Model Generation

• Build Cartesian or simple Curvilinear models.
• Cartesian models can use expanding grid spacing and grid rotations.
• Easily increase or decrease vertical layering.
• Import CVLGrid grids
• Import complex Curvilinear models generated by third party utilities:
  • Delft RGFGrid formatted file (i.e. GRD file) ,
  • Grid95,
  • SEAGrid, and
  • Any generic cell based nodal coordinate file.
• Import grids from different hydrodynamic models:
  • CH3D-WES,
  • CH3D-IMS,
  • ECOMSED, and
  • Prior versions of EFDC.
• Import grids with multiple sub-domains

Pre-Processor-General Grid Tools

• Grid Orthogonality statistics and plots.
• Export any EFDC model grid as an RGFGrid formatted GRD file.
• Export the model domain outline as a XY file (P2D format).
• Export the model cells as a XY file (P2D format).
• Transpose and/or flip the I and J indexes.
• Clean and repair any DX/DY and cell angle problems using a repair utility.
• Triangular Cells on Border toggle option
• Model Domain Rotation
• Connect sub-domains with N-S and/or E-W connectors

Pre-Processor-Initial Conditions

• Easy and fast plan views of the model domain with model option specific viewing options.
• Develop/Edit bathymetry from Digital Terrain Models (DTM's) or irregularly spaced elevation data.
• Build/Edit sediment beds with toxics.
• Set and edit cell properties by "point & click" on the model grid.
• User defined polygon cell selections for editing.
• Use simple operators to edit one or any number of cells.
• View/Set Vegetation mapping (if used).
  • Link Vegetation to Polygons for rapid vegetation assignments.
• View/Set Groundwater mapping (if used).
• Refine grid manually by activating/deactivating cells from the cell map.
• Rapid setting of the initial conditions water surface or depths.
• Use of 3D polylines to assist in setting initial conditions.
• Create/Read a compact binary "archive" file for a model run.
• Assign initial conditions using spatially varying vertical measured/estimated profiles.
• View/Assign/Edit roughness field.
• View Courant #/CFL map.
• View/Assign/Edit "Channel Modifier" information/configuration (if used).
• Set particle seeding and Lagrangian Particle Tracking control options.
• Base Date Updating
• Automated Atmospheric and Wind Series Weighting

Pre-Processor-Boundary Conditions

• Define/Edit/Plot flow, hydraulic structure, open and withdrawal/return type boundary condition groups based on flow series.
• Define hydraulic structures including culverts and bridges governed by equations
• Define tides with harmonic constants
• Set and edit boundary conditions by "point & click" on the model grid.
• Boundary conditions time series intelligent editor and one-button plotting.
• Use familiar names to identify and label boundary cells and input time series.
• Label boundary groups on 2D maps and/or export group labels to a file for more control over labeling of maps in EFDC_Explorer or GIS applications.
• HSPF model boundary condition interface to quickly import HSPF results to EFDC.
• Generate spatially interpolated time series for open boundary conditions.
• Use concentrations instead of mass loading (HEM3D default) for the water quality flow type BC groups.
• Internally compute bed shear stress and currents due to wind generated waves.
• EFDC enhancements from EFDC development partners including sediment transport, SEDZLJ and hydro-mechanical devices (HMK).
• Addition of Withdrawal/Return Boundary Condition for reversing flows (i.e. bi-directional flows)
• Updated Hydraulic Structures Boundary Condition (EFDC and EE)
• Jet Plume Boundary Condition Editor
• N-S and E-W connectors by groups

Pre-Processor-Mass Balance/Boundary Loadings

• Compute mass balance of various model constituents with plotting and tabular output of time series.
• Plot the boundary condition loadings for various model constituents or some derived parameters like Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen or Total Carbon.
• Compute average and cumulative loadings using the "Averaging" and "Integration" features of the time series plotting utility.
• Generate mass loading summary tables for each simulated parameter.
• Water Quality Boundary Conditions can be loaded as Concentrations rather than just Mass Loadings

Pre-Processor-Model to Model Comparisons

• Plan view plots of 2D model input fields compared by subtracting a "Comparison" model from the "Base" model.
• Compare water column initial conditions between models.
• Compare sediment bed conditions and bed elevations between models.
• Grids do not need to be identical; however, they do need to overlap horizontally.

Pre-Processor-Utilities

• Tracer configuration utility.
• A bitmap geo-referencing tool.
• Perform QA checks on input data prior to model runs.
• Merge multiple continuation runs into single data sets
• Create new model runs from any saved results from previous runs.
• Unix to Windows CR/LF conversion.
• Gradient fill as a display option for 2D plan view plots.
• Ability to Drag & Drop EFDC.INP files or Project Directories onto the Main EFDC_Explorer form to open a project.
• Ability to Drag & Drop model annotation files (overlays, labels and postings) while viewing the model

Post-Processor-General

• Post-Processor for the 3D Sigma Stretch, Sigma Zed and GVC versions of EFDC.
• Calendar day/Julian date labeling of plots and animations.
• EFDC output file management utility for resampling (i.e. reducing snapshot frequency) or merging continuation runs into a single output file.
• High Frequency Snapshot capability to insert high resolution results snapshots into the standard EFDC snapshot frequency.
• Optionally plot the color ramp in grey scale (for publications).
• Toggle on/off the display of titles on plots (for reports and publications).
• Ability to output sediment bed layer data to the EE_BED.OUT file with a skip frequency to save disk space.
• Automated statistics and plots at end of model run
• Automated folder structure for saving output files, plots etc.
• EFDC Restart Options Improvements (EFDC and EE) for Continuation Runs

Post-Processor-ViewPlan (2D Plan)

• View/label cell maps.
• Quickly animate many of the results to the screen or an AVI file.
• Export results to the commercial graphics package TECPlot® or Google Earth.
• Compute model results statistics for current view or by polygon.
• Compass (north arrow)
• Overlay the model with line drawings and labels.
• Export NetCDF Output
• Display one or more geo-referenced bitmaps as a background to the model grid.
  • Several views allow for transparent grid cells to view the background and model results.
• Capability to output bitmap images at user defined resolutions
• Display multiple "Timing Frames" to temporally reference results to model boundary conditions for the following types:
  • Open boundaries
  • Inflows/outflows
  • Withdrawal/Return
  • Winds
• Display spatial scales in various units.
• Generate a new model from the output of an existing model for any selected time,
• View water surface/depth maps, animations and time series.
  • Transparent Cells for water depths/elevations and other water column results.
  • Flood Inundation Mapping
  • Compute/Display areal extents based on specified a minimum depth and duration.
  • Compute/Display areal extents based on a Depth*Velocity Flood Hazard Factor.
  • Compare up to 3 models on the same plot showing Areal Extents.
  • Energy Mapping
    • Compute/Display total head (WS Elevation + v²/2g).
    • Compute FEMA Overtopping parameter (depth + v²).
  • Low Pass Filter for Model Analysis
• View Sediment/Bottom results for any time output or animation, (by layer or averaged/totaled over the number of sediment layers):
  • Bottom topography elevations,
  • Bottom scour/deposition,
  • Bottom grain size distributions,
  • Bottom sediment mass distributions (by layer or totaled over the total number of layers (i.e. KB),
  • Bottom sediment mass fractions (by layer or averaged over KB),
  • Bottom sediment porosity (by layer or averaged over KB),
  • Bed surface shear stress.
• View Velocity at multiple layers as magnitude or vector
  • Vector Plots – anchor point for vectors
  • Regular grid extraction for velocity plots
  • Downstream Projection
• View Water Column results for any time output or animations
  • Water Column reporting options
    • By layer or averaged/totaled over the number of water column layers
    • By specified depth or elevation
  • Salinity,
  • Temperature,
  • Dye or a computed Age of Water (EFDC_DSI Only),
  • Toxics,
    • By class or Totals
    • DOC Complexed
    • Dissolved, and
    • POC Adsorbed.
  • Sediments (by class or totaled).
  • Water quality parameters
    • 22 EFDC modeled constituents
    • Derived parameters like Chl-a, algal growth limiters, and TSI's.
  • Anoxic volumes (User specified DO cutoff)
  • Light penetration (Secchi Depth, Extinction Coefficients, % Irradiance).
• View boundary conditions map and view boundary condition time series.
  • View profiles of sediment bed and water column properties with time.
  • Store and quickly display time series calibration comparisons.
  • Compare velocity data to other model runs or field data (e.g. ADCP)
  • Compare model results from two different models to each other.
  • Plot time series plots for boundary conditions
• View Sediment Diagenesis concentrations and nutrient fluxes
  • View by class or total concentrations of PON, POP & POC
  • View concentrations by diagenesis layer or totals
  • View nutrient fluxes
• Model Metrics
  • Grid Orthogonality map & statistics,
  • Cell angle maps,
  • Courant Number,
  • Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) time step limits,
  • Froude Number,
  • Densimetric Froude Number,
  • Celerity, and
  • Richardson Number.
• View Longitudinal Profile plots
  • Generate longitudinal plots of water column and bottom sediments results.
  • User specified layer averaging (e.g. "1-3" will average the bottom three layers).
  • Water column or bottom sediment data can be overlaid with bottom topography and/or water surface elevation/depth results and/or bed shear.
  • Animations of the Longitudinal Profiles can be generated to the screen or AVI.
  • Display timing frame in Time Series and Profile Plotter
• Overlay plan view plots with the following Calibration Data/Information:
  • Station ID,
  • Date/Time coordinated data values,
  • Date/Time coordinated data residuals, and
  • Data values and residuals can use the same depth averaging or specified layer options specified for the model results.
• View plotting and animation of Lagrangian Particle Tracking and Oil Spill.
  • Ability to export one or more particle tracks to ASCII files for linkage to 3^rd party applications.
  • Particles can be assigned to specific groups for separate treatment and display.
  • Particles can have an assigned settling rate or free floating.
  • Lagrangian Particle Tracking (LPT) by time release
  • Group Method for LPT implemented
  • External LPT module integrated into EE
  • Group Method for LPT implemented.
  • Oil evaporation and biodegradation
• View plotting and animation of the Rooted Plant and Epiphyte Model (RPEM).
  • Shoot carbon
  • Root carbon
  • Detritus carbon
  • Epiphyte carbon
• Save plot scales, positions for the model and annotation boxes for reuse later to allow plots to be formatted exactly the same from run to run.
• Specialty Analysis Tools including:
  • Habitat analysis based on water depth, temperature and other water column parameters.
  • Ability to compute the location of a "target concentration" of any water column constituent along a user specified polyline, .e.g. river mile location of 2 ppt salinity.
• Output time series at a specified depth.
• Contour lines
• Wind and Velocity Rose Plots
• Photo Viewers in Time Series Forms
• Annotated Plan View of Model Domain in Time Series Form
• Flight Path Animations

Post-Processor- ViewSlice (Horizontal Profiles)

• View Velocity at multiple layers as magnitude or vector
• View Water Column results for any time output or animations
• Contour lines
• View ice thickness

Post-Processor- Vertical Profiles

• View 2D vertical section plots along any I or J index or user defined polyline.
• For any vertical section view/animate:
  • Velocities,
  • Salinity,
  • Temperature,
  • Dye or a computed Age of Water (EFDC_DSI Only),
  • Toxics,
  • Sediments, and
  • Water quality parameters.

Post-Processor- View3D (3D Visualizations)

• View 2D vertical section plots along any I or J index or user defined polyline.
• For any vertical section view/animate:
• Velocity Banners
• Blanking and Clipping
• Background Images
• Sediment Bed Viewing
• Mouse Inquire Information
• Import COLLADA structures for display in 3D

Post-Processor-Miscellaneous

• Water flux calculator by layer or totaled for all layers.
• Mass flux of any water column constituent by layer or depth averaged.
• Ability to calculate current time or time series of Mass Fluxes across any user defined polyline(s).
• Sediment mass balance/sediment mass loadings.
• Single cell sediment/water column process plots and animations showing scour, deposition and consolidation.
• Output time series at a specified depth.
• High and Low Pass Filter for Time Series
• Mean Mass Transport - Averaging of 2D/3D fields
• Velocity Profiles

Post-Processor-Calibration Comparisons

• Time series comparisons for water column data of measured to modeled data for any layer, depth averaged and/or Min-Avg-Max model results.
• Vertical profile comparisons.
• Correlation Plots
• Produce report ready graphics.
• Calibration statistics using:
  • RMS Error,
  • Average Error,
  • Absolute Error,
  • Relative Error, and/or
  • Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency Coefficient.
• Automatic generation of the calibration plots.
• Automatic generation of calibration statistics.
• Model Results Analysis Macro for consistent plots and tables.
• Cruise Plot Comparisons
• Forced evaporation analysis

Post-Processor-Model to Model Comparisons

• 2D plan view plots of model results compared by subtracting a "Comparison" model from the "Base" model.
• Compare water column input and model results between models.
• Ability to compare sediment bed conditions, bed shear stress and scour/deposition between models.
• Compare computed layer or depth averaged velocities between models.
• Grids do not need to be identical; however, they do need to partially overlap horizontally.